Page 105 of Stormbreaker

I stomp toward the gym, inhaling a deep, shuddering breath.

I cannot believe Knox had the nerve to think there was anything left between us.

What am I most angry about?

My father talking about me instead of to me?

Knox assuming I would just do what I’m told?

Thinking he could placate me by allowing me to continue my training with the intention of ripping it all away once we graduate?

This is exactly why I chose myself over them.

In spite of everything, I know I’m doing the right thing.

I suddenly can’t wait to start this afternoon’s training.

We’re sparring today, and kicking someone’s ass seems like the perfect cure for this pent-up rage burning through my veins.

When I enter the gym, I scurry to change into my workout attire before heading to the large sparring mats at the far end of the room. Four different pairs are currently fighting in their respective corners, all reflected a thousand times by floor-to-ceiling mirrors covering three walls.

I spot Domino in a headlock with someone from House Asale, both sweating with exertion.

On the far side of the room, Rook is sparring with a big guy from Tera. I think his name is Ritsu. They’re both wearing sleeveless black shirts and shorts, and it’s hard not to be distracted by all the smooth, flexing muscle Rook currently has on display.

I study his tattoos that I’ve admired more times than I care to admit. The thin topographical lines curve over every dip and valley of his muscles. I note where they disappear under his shirt and wonder, not for the first time, where they start and end. Do they stretch across his back? Flex along his chest? Maybe dip in the hollow of his spine?

Suddenly, I’m very warm, and I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand.

Ritsu tosses Rook to the mat with a heavy thud, pinning him down.

They’re almost matched in size and strength as they twist and turn, but Rook manages to knock him off. They go tumbling in a ball of limbs, and I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from the fiery intensity in Rook’s eyes.

But he isn’t angry, just determined. Beautiful in the way he moves with lethal grace.

“Poet,” comes a voice to my left, causing me to practically jump.

Henry’s wearing a half-cocked smile as he glances between me and the guy I was practically drooling over. He’s kind enough not to draw attention to it. “Ready for some sparring? I’ll be teaching you a few new moves today.”

I think of my conversation with Knox and slap my fist into my palm. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

Over the next hour, I follow Henry’s lead through a series of drills and maneuvers designed to improve my skills at hand-to-hand combat. I empty my mind and lose myself in the dance as my pulse races and sweat beads on my temples. This is exactly what I needed.

My bandaged knee is faring better, so I feel confident dancing side to side, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

Throughout my training, I remain aware of Rook on the near side of the room as he spars with various partners. His trainer, Brooklyn, runs him through numerous drills, shouting out a string of instructions.

Once or twice, our gazes hook ever so briefly before he looks away. Probably because I can’t stop staring. Henry notices it more than once but still doesn’t call me out, even if I catch his knowing smirk. The thing is, I’m not staring at Rook because he looks ridiculously good in his tight top and shorts, his hair disheveled and a sheen of sweat highlighting the curves of his rounded shoulders.

Okay, that’s not the only reason.

He’s a Spark Keeper. I’ve never met another Keeper. Has he? How can he not want to talk about this? It suddenly occurs to me that Keepers might be a common thing out in the Wastes and I’m not remarkable to him at all. An uncomfortable ache works its way through my chest at that thought.

But then I catch his brief glance, loaded with something, and I’m sure that can’t be true. I think he wants to talk about it, but maybe he’s not ready. He has every reason to be scared that someone might find out. He must understand that I’d never turn him in.

“Okay!” Brooklyn shouts from the corner, shocking me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Time for some more one-on-ones!”

She starts pointing to various people around the room. Domino is paired up with an Asale girl, and Brooklyn points to me before pointing to Rook.